[Posted 05/01/2013]AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, NursingISSUE: The recall is in response to customer reports of Newport Medical Instrument’s HT70 Ventilator and HT70 Plus Ventilator alarming and going into internal backup battery sooner than expected, while the ventilator is being operated on Power Pac battery. Serial number range: 2096134110001 to 2292048120050, Rev. C through Rev. F These ventilators were manufactured from Nov. 1, 2009 to March 5, 2013 and distributed from Oct. 1, 2011 to Jan. 31, 2013.These conditions have been reported in two types of situations. In the first situation, the screen on the Newport Medical Instrument’s HT70 Ventilator or HT70 Plus Ventilator may indicate that the Power Pac battery is fully charged when it is not. In the second situation, the unit may switch to backup battery power as soon as it is removed from AC power.Use of this device on battery power may cause serious adverse health consequences, including death.BACKGROUND: The HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilator systems are intended to provide continuous or intermittent positive pressure mechanical ventilatory support for the care of individuals who require mechanical ventilation.Newport Medical Instruments, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Covidien. RECOMMENDATION: On April 4, 2013, Newport Medical Instruments sent an Urgent Medical Device Recall letter by FedEx to all its affected customers. The letter identified the product, the problem, and the action to be taken by the customer.Anyone who has Power Pac batteries for the Newport Medical Instrument’s HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators, including distributors, health care providers, and home users, is instructed to immediately check the serial numbers of the Power Pac batteries related to their Newport HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators. Customers whose Power Pac serial numbers fall within the above range should contact Newport Medical Instrument’s Technical Support Department to request replacement batteries, which will be provided at no charge.If customers are using the affected product, they should ensure that an alternate source of power is available nearby until this issue is resolved. Customers were also instructed to report any issues with Newport Medical Instrument’s HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators or Power Pac batteries to the Technical Support group at 1-800-451-3111, extension 500 to ensure proper device reporting procedures are followed.Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htmDownload form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178[05/01/2013 - Recall Notice - FDA]